Messi comments on the riots against Brazil

Messi comments on the riots against Brazil

Argentina captain Lionel Messi accused Brazilian police of brutality after the start of the team's World Cup qualifier against Brazil was delayed by half an hour following clashes between police and visiting fans at the Maracana Stadium on Tuesday.

Brazilian and Argentine fans clashed behind one of the goals during the playing of the national anthems, prompting the police to attack the visiting fans and disperse them with sticks.

Some Argentine fans responded by taking off and throwing chairs at security personnel, while other fans panicked and took to the field to escape the confrontations.

One of the Argentine fans lay on the field with a bloody face before being carried away on a stretcher.

The Argentine national team went to the stands to try to calm the situation before leaving the field and returning to the locker room

Messi said in a television interview at the stadium, "It was bad because we saw how they were beating people, as actually happened in the Copa Libertadores final. The police were hitting people again with sticks. Some players took their families to the stadium to attend the match."

He added: "We went to the dressing room because it was the best way to calm everything down, and it could have ended in tragedy. You think about the families and the people on the field who do not know what is happening and we were more concerned with that than playing the match, which at that moment was a secondary issue."

For his part, Brazilian captain Marquinhos, who was seen speaking with Messi and some Argentine players while they were trying to calm the situation, expressed his dissatisfaction with these events, as he told reporters, “We felt very concerned for the families, women, and children who we saw terrified in the stands. Inside the stadium, it was difficult for us to understand.” "What's happening? It was a very scary situation."

 

FIFA President Gianni Infantino condemned the incident, and said in a statement: “Without exception, all players, fans, staff and coaches must be safe and protected to play and enjoy football. I urge the relevant authorities to ensure this is respected at all levels.”

Argentina won the match 1-0 with a header goal in the 63rd minute from defender Nicolas Otamendi, and celebrated the victory over its eternal rival in front of its fans and in the same stadium where previous problems occurred.

This was the third consecutive defeat for Brazil, the five-time World Cup winner, who completed the match with ten men after Joelinton was sent off near the end.